Lane reductions planned on Ortega Highway bridge

Traffic on the Ortega Highway bridge over I-5 in San Juan Capistrano is scheduled to be narrowed soon in preparation for part of the reconstruction of the Ortega/I-5 interchange.

An exact date has not been set, but it likely will begin the week of May 27, the California Department of Transportation says.

Caltrans plans to reduce traffic on the bridge to two lanes in both directions for about a year as crews work to demolish and reconstruct the south half of the bridge.

During this configuration, trucks and trailers more than 40 feet long will be unable to make a left turn to eastbound Ortega from the southbound I-5 off-ramp and will have to use alternate routes, Caltrans said.